Ripon Specsavers triples in size

A Ripon business celebrated its move to new premises with a launch even – 15 November 2018

Following the completion of the city’s awe-inspiring Remembrance Day celebrations, organiser Councillor Stuart Martin MBE cut the ribbon at Specsavers’ brand new store in Market Place.

After 13 years at its Fishergate location, Specsavers took up residence in the city’s iconic Market Place last week, tripling the size of its footprint, creating four jobs doubling the number of appointment slots.

Ophthalmic director, Caroline Sullivan, said:

We were so proud to welcome everyone into our new store today, and delighted that Councillor Stuart Martin agreed to be out guest of honour. We are all in awe of our city’s wonderful Remembrance celebrations this weekend, which he was instrumental in delivering.

We’ve had lovely feedback from customers who had told us that they hoped we could offer more space and faster appointments. We’ve now been able to make that happen and look forward to welcoming everyone into store to see for themselves.

Councillor Stuart Martin was also the first person to try out Specsavers’ interactive sight loss simulator, known as the Eye Pod. The Eye Pod was positioned in Market Place for the day, demonstrating how four major eye conditions (age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and cataracts) can affect vision. Two cameras on top of the pod linked to screens inside where local people were able to get a life-like view of how Ripon looks to those who suffer from these common conditions.

Councillor Stuart Martin said:

To see Specsavers grow over the last 13 years has been tremendous. I really do appreciate the support that the store gives to the community, and it was lovely to be asked to open it once again in its new location.